Oxygen mask having detachable face seal cushion



April 5, 1960 K. H. SCHWARZ OXYGEN MASK HAVING DETACHABLE FACE SEAL CUSHION Filed Aug. 25, 1958 IN VENTOR. Karl Herman Schwarz OXYGEN MASK HAVING DETACHABLE FACE SEAL CUSHION Karl Hermann Schwarz, Kansas City,

' Puritan Compressed Gas Corporation, 1 Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application August 25, 1958, set-a1 No. 757,050

' Claims. or. 128-146) Mo., assiguor to Kansas City,

This invention relates to a gas distribution mask assembly and more particularly to an improved face seal unit mounted on the peripheral edge of the mask substantially conforming to the configuration of that portion of the wearers face over which the mask is adapted to be worn.

It is the primary object of the invention to provide a face seal unit mounted on the face conforming peripheral edgev of an oxygen mask or the like which prevents leak age of oxygen from within the mask during wearing of the same without the necessity of the mask being forced into such firm engagement with the wearers face to make wearing of the mask uncomfortable. This is particularly important when such a mask is worn at high altitude with a positive pressure applied to the space between mask and face.

" It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved face seal unit for oxygen masks having cushion means located in a position to be disposed between the peripheral, face conforming edge of the mask and the wearers face when the mask is in an operable position to thereby prevent such edge from engaging the persons face in an uncomfortable manner and'also being a flexible sealing element forming a part of the improved face seal unit and cooperable with the cushion means to prevent leakage of gas between the sealing unit and the wearers face substantially regardless of the relative pressure of the mask against that portion of the persons face over which the mask is worn.

' "Also an important object is to provide a face seal unit for oxygen masks having a cushion and sealing element as referred to above joined to a rim memberin turn removably attached to the peripheral edge of the mask whereby the entire sealing unit may be readily removed from the mask and cleaned, repaired or replaced as necessary.

Other-important objects of the invention relate to the provision of a face seal unit wherein the cushion means is of novel configuration causing the same to have less resistance at certain areas thereof to increase the sealing effect of the unit without deleteriously affecting the cushioning characteristics of the resilient component; to a sealing unit wherein the flexible element cooperable with the cushioning means to provide a leak proof gas seal I of relatively easily bendable material permitting the sealing-element to closely conform to the shape of the wearers face even though the peripheral edge of the mask does not exactly conform to 'the wearers features and thereby assuring prevention of oxygen leakage from the mask during use of the latter; to a face seal unit adapted to be removably mounted on a mask and which is capable ofibeing constructed by conventional molding and forming-processes thereby materially lowering the cost of the sealing unit and the time of production thereof; to a seal unit which may be formed of conventional, readily available materials thereby further reducing the over-all cost of the same; to a sealing unit of special configuration causing the unit and thereby the peripheral edge of the mask to substantially uniformly engage the wearers face with equal pressure whereby escape of gas is prevented without the necessity of forcing the mask into uncomfortable engagement with the persons face; and to other important objects and details of construction of the instant invention which will become obvious or be explained more fully as the following specification progresses.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a fragmentary perspective view of a gas distribution mask having the face seal unit of the present invention removably mounted thereon and with the dis-- tribution assembly illustrated in its operable position on a persons face, certain parts being broken away to reveal details of construction;

Fig. 2 is an end view of the gas distribution assembly shown in Fig. 1 and looking into the interior of such assembly;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line 33 of Fig. l and illustrating the deformed configuration of the sealing unit when the same is in relative firm engagement with the wearers face; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 3 and showing the undeformed condition of the sealing unit.

An assembly in the nature of oxygen distribution structure broadly designated 10 and including a conventional oxygen mask 12 constructed of suitable gas impervious material and which preferably is nylon or an equivalent substance. Mask 12 is formed of the preferred material 111 a configuration to fit over a persons nose and mouth or any other sealing line as, for instance, chin, cheeks and forehead or the like, to supply oxygen to the wearer when the supply of such gas is below a desired level in the ambient atmosphere or it is required that the wearer of mask 12 receive a greater quantity of oxygen than is normally present in the air.

It thus can be recognized that mask 12 is adapted for utilization both in therapeutic applications and also for aviation purposes wherein it is desired that the aircraft ascend to relatively high altitudes and the interior of such plane is not properly pressurized and air containing the required level of oxygen supplied to the aircraft occupants.

- For purposes of illustration only, an aviation type oxygen mask 12 is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawmg and thus it is preferred that mask 12 have an opening (not shown) receiving a pick-up microphone 14 maintamed in proper disposition by an outer, grommet like resilient member 16 having a tubular element 18 receiving the leads 20 to microphone 14. By the same token, mask 12 has a relative large opening (not shown) receiving a coupling 22 adapted for releasably attaching an oxygen supply tube 24 to mask 12. If desired, a filter 26 for an exhalation valve (not shown) may be provided within coupling 22 for preventmg foreign matter from entering the interior of mask 12 during use of the same.

Mounting brackets 28 secured to the outer face of mask 12 on opposed sides thereof are adapted for carrymg straps 3i} permitting the wearer to secure mask 12 improper position over his face; 7

It is to be understood'that the components hereinabove described are considered to be conventional and form no part of the instant invention although it is to be preferred that the peripheral edge 32 of mask 12 and conforming to the configuration of. that portion of the wearers face over which the mask 12 is adapted to be worn, have an integral, laterally and outwardly pro- JtiCllllg continuous fiange'34 adapted to be in proximal relationship to the persons face during wearing of mask 12. l

. The sealing unit forming .thesubject.matter of this invention is. indicated. generally inthe drawing by the numeral 36. As best illustrated in Fig. 2, sealing unit 36 substantially conforms to the configuration of the edge presentedby continuous flange 34:integral withmask'll and has. arimmember substantially contiguous-in length with flange 34. Rim member. 38 is constructed: to; overlie fiangeg34ofmask-lz, as well asa portion of'the outer surface. of such mask. throughout an area extending around: the circumference of edge 32 and proximal to the same;

with section 42 substantiallyintermediate the longitudinal extremities thereof, and projects'laterally from the outer surface of the same away. from section 44' at an angle as best shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

A cushion 48 f foam rubber or equivalent substance substantially completely fills the channel presented by seg-; ment 46 between sections 42 and .44 and. the outermost, exposediextremity 50'ioined to section 44 and extending around the circumference thereofis located inwardly with. respect to flange 34 of mask 12, from continuo'us outer! 'most, exposed extremity fiz of cushion 48 -joined to section; 42. ,at the. outer periphery thereof, away from bight,

portion-46. The exposed: outer surface 54 of cushion 43 interconnecting the-extremitiesStl and 52 is substantially linear in transverse section as indicated in Fig. 4

whereby it can be seen that cushion48 projects inwardly fromiedge-32 of mask 12; I A sealing element'56 is -integral withjtheouterextremity of section 44 remote from bight portion146' and element 56- is thereby of. the same material from which channel segment 40 and'rirn member 38 areconstructed '1 as ume:

cushion 48 has been found to be of extreme importance 7 vided by unit 36 is attributable not-"only to the construction and disposition of sealing'eleinent'56 whichinitiallyengages the wearers'face, but also .to-theshape and disposition of cushion 48 which assures an etfective seal while providing the. necessary resilient support between .edge 32 and flange'34 of mask'lZ and thewearersface.

Maximum comfort is afforded during wearing of mask 12 having sealing unit 36 thereon without loss of oxygen or other fluids which may be directed into mask 12 through tube i- Inasmuch as 'se'alingelement156 is: highly flexible,v the, same is capable of flexing aszmaski 12- is moved into relatively firm engagement with' the wearers face andielemeut 56 thereby assumes theconfiguration .ofth'e wearer's face irrespective" of the irregularity of the: persons features and which may differ to a certainjextent from the configuration of flange 34.integral withfedge. 32 ofmask 1 2. However, element 56 further cooperateswith cushion 48. and section 44 to -provide thenecessary'seal. particularly at those areasof the wearers-face which tend, to. protrude toward flange '34 toa greater. extent than, the general feature line of the persons:face.

The outer shape of; section 44 and bight. portion, 46 of channel segment 40 also contributeto the comfort inherent in sealingunit'36'when structure 10 is placed in operable position over the users, face..

ln orderto lower the production and distribution costs ofsealing unit36, it is to be preferred that the same be molded of suitable rubber or plastic compositions and in this connection, his to be pointed out that cushion 48 and the same extends linearly from section 44 and thus presents a continuation of the same. Element 56 is a continuous, relatively thin flap having a free, marginal edge that 'readily' assumes a contour-conforming area snuggly fitting the face as shownin Fig; 3;

An inwardlyprojecting continuous lip 58 integral with the innermost surfaceof rim member 38 andv disposed in spaced, substantially parallel relationship to section, 42 defines a groove 60 between. lip 58 and section 42 adapted forreceiving flange 34: of masklZ when sealing uniL136 is removably mounted. on the edge of mask 12 presented by flange-34.

' Althoughgroove .60 receiving flange 34presents asub stantially fluid-tight. seal between mask.12. and sealing unit 36, it is to be preferred that a continuous bead .62 be formed on the outermost extremity of rim member 38 away fromv channel segment 40 which engages the outermost face of mask l2v adjacent flange 34 for preventing lea kageiof gas'between flange 34 and rim member 38., a

The manner in which sealing unit 36 engages the face of the wearer is best shown in Fig. 3 wherein it can be ascertained that initially sealing element 56 sweeps into the. irregularities of the persons face especially in the nose-and mouth area to elfect'a seal; Additional pressure caused by tightening of straps. 30 aroundithe wearers headgthen deformsthe:cushion;-48' between sections 44 and 42- to provide a firmer seal as the outer surface voff section 44,. moves into relatively firm, sealing engagement with thewearers face. Particular note is directed to the fact-that cushion 48 presents less resistance adjacent outer.

extremityl5dthereof than at an area of section 44 in direct opposition to extremity 50 so'that the outer extremity 50rof cushion 48 tends to bend inwardly into overlyingrelationshipto extremity 52 as channel segment 40 is moved into firm engagement with the persous face drawinggv'up; ofv straps 30.1 The configuration of may also be moldedinto 'the channel: presented by. segmeat 40. If this type of operation is ,practised, it can be recognized that cushion 48 will be firmlybonded. to the innermost surfaces ,of sections 42 and as well; as bight portion 46. In the alternative, however, cushion 48 may be molded separately and then inserted intochannel segment 40 with suitable adhesivemeans being utilized to firmly bond. cushion 48 to the innermostfaces of sections 32v and 34 as well as bight'portion. 46,-,

Since flange 34 of mold 12 isfremovably receivedwithr in. groove 60, it can be recognized that sealingunit 36 may be readily removed from mask-12 for cleaning, re-

' pair or replacement purposes. .Although anaircraft-type mask 12 has been illustrated and described in detail, it is to be understood that sealing unit 36 may be mounted on various types of gas supply masks and-particularly those of general use in the therapeutic field.

Having thus described the invention what is. claimed as new and desired tobe secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination withia gas distribution mask having a peripheral edge substantially conforming to'the configuration of that portion of the wearers face 'overwhich the mask is adapted to be worn,' a face seal unit substantially conforming with and mounted on saidedge ofthe mask, said unitincluding cushion meanslocamdinaposition to be, disposed between said. edge of the mask and. the wearerfsface when the mask is over said portion there of and a flexible sealing flap having a freeamarginal edge disposed to engage the wearers face. and prevent leakage of ,gashetween said. unit: andfthewearers face substan tially regardless of the relative pressure of the mask against said portion of the wearer's face, said face :seal unit including a rim' member carrying said cushion means and the sealing element and removably mounted on said edge of the mask whereby the unit may be quickly removed from the same.

2. The combinatiomas sectorth-jra wherein said face seal unit includes a substantially U-shaped chwnel segment integral with said rim member, receiving said cushion means therewithin and located outwardly from said edge of the mask, said flexible sealing element being integral with a peripheral extremity of the segment remote from the rim member and projecting laterally from said cushion means.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 2, wherein said cushion means is foam rubber having a transverse width at least as great as the width of said edge of the mask.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 2, wherein said channel segment includes a pair of spaced, continuous sections interconnected by a bight portion, one of said sections being integral with said rim member and said flexible sealing element projecting outwardly from and forming a substantially linear continuation of the other section, the cushion means substantially filling the area presented by said sections and the bight portion of said channel segment.

5. The combination as set forth in claim 4, wherein the outer exposed extremity of said cushion means joined to said other section lies inwardly with respect to the circumference of said edge of the mask, from the outer exposed extremity of said cushion means joined to said one section and the outer exposed surface of said cushion means between said extremities thereof being substantially transversely linear whereby said cushion means presents less resistance in a direction toward said edge of the mask at a line along said outer exposed extremity of the cushion means joined to said other section than along a line on the latter in direct opposition to said outer exposed extremity of said cushion means joined to said one section.

6. The combination as set forth in claim 4, wherein is provided a continuous lip integral with said. rim member, extending inwardly from the same in spaced, substantially parallel relationship with said one section and defining a groove removably receiving said edge of the mask.

7. The combination as set forth in claim 6, wherein said n'rn member has an enlarged bead integral with the extremity thereof remote from said channel segment for improving the gas seal between said rim member and the mask. j

8. The combination as set forth in claim 7, wherein said sections of the channel segment are in substantially parallelism with the outer continuous surface of said edge of the mask.

9. The combination as set forth in claim. 8, wherein the outer surface of said cushion means in abutting proximal relationship to the inner surface of said channel segment is firmly bonded to the latter.

10. The combination as set forth in claim 9, wherein said bight portion of the channel segment is arcuate in transverse cross section.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,817,148 Hornor Aug. 4, 1931 2,362,382 Lehmberg Nov. 7, 1944 2,540,567 Bennett Feb. 6, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 194,585 Switzerland Mar. 1, 1938 

